I mentioned looking for more interviews and one response was from Qawnana Crockett. Very happy she responded. I looked at some photos and saw a beautiful woman with a great physique, highlighted by a back that anyone would be jealous of. Looking at her contest history you will see it is loaded with top five's and even wins. And you get the feeling she is just getting started. I hope this interview is able to introduce even more people to an incredible woman who is a big asset to the fitness industry.
Q: First, Qawnana, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I AM FROM COLUMBUS OHIO, THE OLDEST OF 3 CHILDREN. I HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO MY PROM DATE FOR 13 YEARS IN JANUARY. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN WHO ARE ALSO ATHLETIC AND I CURRENTLY LIVE IN VIRGINIA.
Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: ABSOLUTELY! THE 2 SPORTS I PARTICIPATED IN THE LONGEST WERE TRACK AND DRILL (DANCE) TEAM, BUT I WAS A SWIMMER, BASKETBALL PLAYER,AND A CHEERLEADER.
Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: WELL, I ACTUALLY STARTED LIFTING WEIGHTS IN HIGH SCHOOL. I WANTED POWERFUL LEGS FOR TRACK SO I WOULD SOMETIMES TRAIN WITH THE WRESTLERS AND FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN THE GYM AT SCHOOL. I WENT INTO THE MILITARY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, SO I CONTINUED TO WORKOUT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.
Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: YES, I LOVED THE FEELING I WOULD GET AFTER AND EVEN THE NEXT DAY. IT REALLY WOULDN'T TAKE ME LONG TO SEE THE RESULTS I MEAN WITH IN DAYS! THAT MAY BE ONE REASON WHY I KEPT TRAINING.
Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: I KNEW IN HIGH SCHOOL I WANTED TO BE INVOLVED IN BODY BUILDING. BACK THEN, THERE WAS NO "FIGURE" AND BODY BUILDING WAS DIFFERENT. WHAT'S CRAZY IS I APPARENTLY TOLD MY CLASS MATES AND THEY WROTE ABOUT IT IN MY SENIOR BOOK. MY SISTER WAS GOING INTO HER SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL, AND WE WERE GOING THROUGH MY OLD STUFF AND STARTED READING ALL OF THE "BEST OF LUCK" MESSAGES. THERE WERE SEVERAL THAT SAID "SEE YOU AT THE ARNOLD" , OR "SEE YOU ON ESPN"! THAT WAS WHEN IT HIT ME THAT I COULD NOT GO TO MY REUNION AND TELL PEOPLE I NEVER PURSUED MY DREAM! SO, IN 2005, I DID IT.
Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: MY HUSBAND DID MOST OF THE RESEARCH, MY KIDS DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CLUE WHAT I WAS DOING, MY FRIENDS DIDN'T EITHER. ONCE THEY SAW THE PICTURES, THEY ALL BECAME MORE INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT IT TAKES TO DO THIS SPORT.
Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: BOTH! I EXPECTED THE INTENSITY AND DISCIPLINE, BUT WAS SURPRISED AT HOW FAST MY BODY STARTED TO TRANSFORM. WITH EACH SHOW CAME MORE AND MORE EDUCATION ON HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND MOST OF ALL, ME.
Q: Can you share your contest history.
A: I'VE DONE SO MANY, I CAN TRY TO NAME A FEW AND HOPE NOT TO LEAVE ANY OUT (LOL). THE SHOWS I'M MOST PROUD OF:
*OCTOBER 2005 OCB 4TH OPEN SHORT (MY VERY 1ST SHOW)
*OCTOBER 2005 OCB 2ND OPEN SHORT (4 WEEKS LATER!)
*AUGUST 2006 OCB 1ST OPEN SHORT/ 1ST OPEN NOVICE/ 2ND OVERALL
*AUGUST 2007 OCB 1ST OPEN/ OVERALL (PRO CARD)
*JUNE 2007 NPC 1ST OPEN MED / OVERALL
*JUNE 2007 NPC NATIONAL TOP 10 (1ST SHOW)
*MARCH 2008 ARNOLD CLASSIC (AM) TOP 10
*JULY 2009 NPC NATIONAL TOP 10
*MAY 2010 FIGURE AMERICA (MUSCLE MANIA) 2ND OPEN MED (1ST SHOW)
*JUNE 2010 IFPA PRO TOP 5 (1ST SHOW)
THERE A MANY MORE, BUT THESE ARE THE ONE'S THAT I REMEMBERED THE MOST.
Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: I PERSONALLY FEEL IT'S MY BACK.
Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: I LOVE COMPOUND MOVEMENTS LIKE LUNGES, SQUATS AND PUSH UPS! I INCORPORATE THESE IN PRETTY MUCH EVERY WORKOUT.
Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: OATMEAL AND EGG WHITES EVERY MORNING FOR BREAKFAST! AS FAR AS TRAINING, THIS YEAR, I WILL CONTINUE TO LIFT HEAVY ALL THE WAY UP TO SHOW TIME. BEFORE I WOULD DO HIGH VOLUME TRAINING FOR CONTEST PREP. JUST TO ENSURE MY BODY CONTINUES TO CHANGE, I PLAN TO COMBINE 3-4 DIFFERENT STYLES OF TRAINING INTO 1 WORKOUT.
Q: When someone sees your physique or hears you compete for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?
A: ACTUALLY POSITIVE. PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED THAT I DON'T LOOK "BIG". I LOOK LIKE A NORMAL BUT FIT PERSON.
Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: I'M NOT SURE I REALLY GET TIRED OF HEARING ANY COMMENTS BECAUSE MY FAMILY IS REALLY THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO COME OUT TO SEE ME COMPETE. MY FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS SEE THE PHOTOS.
Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: THAT IF YOU LIFT HEAVY YOU WILL LOOK LIKE A MAN. NOW THAT I GET TIRED OF HEARING!
Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: THE BEST PART IS WHEN I CAN SEE OR FEEL THE WORKOUT A FEW DAYS LATER, THE WORST IS IF I CATCH A COLD IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TRAINING SEASON, AND HAVE TO FORCE MY SELF TO TAKE THOSE DAYS OFF TO RECOVER!
Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: I ADMIRE THEM ALL! SOUNDS CORNY, BUT IT'S TRUE. ANY WOMAN, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, OR CAREER WOMAN WHO CAN BITE THE BULLET AND JUGGLE ALL OF THE THINGS WE HAVE GOING ON IN OUT LIVES, HAVE BABBIE, RAISE THEM, MANAGE MARRIAGES, AND ALL THAT WE DO AND STILL HAVE THE GUTS TO GET ON STAGE AND "WORK IT", YES, I ADMIRE THEM ALL!
Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FAN OF PIZZA! HOWEVER, NOW WHEN I CHEAT, IT IS GLUTEN FREE OR THIN WHEAT CRUST, WITH LOTS OF CHICKEN AND VEGGIES! I END UP EATING THAT ALONE LOL!
Q: If another woman told you she wanted to start training, what is the one piece of advice you would most want to give her?
A: IS THIS SOMETHING YOU JUST WANT TO "TRY", OR ARE YOU PLANNING TO MAKE THIS A PART OF YOUR LIFE FOR GOOD IS THE FIRST QUESTION I ASK THEM TO ASK THEM SELVES. THE SECOND THING IS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TYPE OF COMPETITOR YOU WANT TO BE KNOWN AS. WHAT KIND OF MARK DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE ON THE INDUSTRY, WHAT KIND OF SPORT ARE YOU PLANNING TO BE.
Q: Do you think it is becoming more common to see women in the gym training as hard as men?
OH YES! I LOVE IT TOO! I STILL DON'T THINK THERE ARE ENOUGH, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY BETTER THEN 10 YEARS AGO.
Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: WELL YES, I AM A PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP ARTIST AS WELL , SO I LOVE DOING FREELANCE JOBS, IT'S LIKE PAINTING ON A CANVAS. AND I JUST REALIZED THIS YEAR I LOVE BEING A CHEER COACH, IT WAS MORE THAN TEACHING CHEERS, IT WAS TEACHING THE GIRLS LIFE LESSONS AS WELL.
Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Qawnana Crockett.
A: THE SHORT VERSION,
EARLY MORNING CARDIO (IN SEASON)
BREAKFAST
GET THE KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL
GO TRAIN CLIENTS OR GO FREELANCE FOR CHANEL
TRY TO GET HOME BY THE TIME THE FAMILY IS HOME
REPLY TO EMAILS, CHAT WITH THE FAMILY ABOUT THE DAY
HAVE DINNER
WATCH SOME TV, MAYBE
OFF TO BED!
IN BETWEEN ALL OF THAT, EAT, WORKOUT, EAT, EAT, MAYBE WORKOUT AGAIN, AND DID I SAY EAT??
Q: Describe Qawnana Crockett in five words.
A: PASSIONATE, DRIVEN, DEDICATED, INTENSE, STUBBORN!
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I REALLY DIDN'T GET INTO WEARING DRESSES AND MAKE UP UNTIL I WAS AROUND 25 YEARS OLD.
Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: AS FAR AS COMPETING, I AM PLANNING TO REALLY SURPRISE PEOPLE WITH WHAT I'M COMING WITH.
AS FAR AS THE FAMILY, CONDITIONING THEM FOR GREAT SEASONS OF SPORTS AND THE HUSBAND,
TAKING THE TIME TO CELEBRATE 13 YEARS TOGETHER AND COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS.
Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: FOREVER FIT IS THE NAME OF MY BUSINESS. IT IS ALL ABOUT COMPETITION PREP. ANYTHING FROM DIET TO POSING TO TRAINING YOU NAME IT, I PROBABLY DO IT LOL! I HAVE A PAGE ON FACE BOOK UNDER "FOREVER FIT" BE SURE TO CHECK THE PAGE OUT AND "LIKE" IT. SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you and what are they getting in Qawnana Crockett the athlete and competitor?
A: YES, I WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SPONSORED. THE BEST WAY TO REACH ME IS VIA EMAIL AT FOREVERFIT03@COMCAST.NET. THEY WOULD BE GETTING A ATHLETE THAT IS DRIVEN TO SUCCEED BUT STILL HUMBLE.
Q: Qawnana , again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE INTERVIEW. I WANT TO LEAVE THE READERS WITH ONE LAST PIECE OF ADVISE I USE ALL OF THE TIME, "WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, NOT AGAINST IT"
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